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Porcupine Grass

Hesperostipa spartea

Stipa spartea (Porcupine grass) is a needlegrass with a long awn (the "hair" extending from each seed). The seed of thes

Taken By Paul Henjum, 02/25/07 own work, Seed of Stipa spartea

Hesperostipa spartea, formerly Stipa spartea, is a species of grass known by the common names porcupine grass, western porcupine grass, short-awn porcupine grass, porcupine needlegrass, and big needlegrass. It is native to North America, where it is widespread from British Columbia to Ontario in Canada and through the central and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It is a bunchgrass species in the genus Hesperostipa.

Quick Facts
Scientific name Hesperostipa spartea
Family Poaceae
Height 2-4 ft
Bloom time Jun-Jul
Sun Full sun
Moisture Dry
Soil Sand, gravel
Wildlife value Sharp awned seeds drill themselves into the soil; remnant dry-prairie indicator

Mentioned In

Image Credits

  • USFWS Mountain-Prairie (Public domain)
  • Hardyplants at English Wikipedia (CC BY 2.5)

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